scholarly journals Europe Between Climate and Energy Insecurity: Geopolitical Aspects

2016 ◽  
Vol Special edition (1) ◽  
pp. 29-62
Author(s):  
Branko Bošnjaković
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Ukraine Crisis ◽  
Common But Differentiated Responsibility

EU sees itself as a world leader in coping with the challenge of climate change. At the same time, the Ukraine crisis has demonstrated how vulnerable its energy supply security is due to EU’s dependence on import oil and gas. The paper addresses the interlinkages and prospects of EU’s climate and energy policies with respect to ethical and security dimensions. The ethical dimension is addressed in terms of how to fairly allocate responsibility among nations, regions and states to reduce GHG emissions to non-dangerous levels, a central issue at the upcoming UN summit in Paris. The proposed principles, such as the common but differentiated responsibility, are discussed in view of a growing literature, political controversies and converging diplomatic moves. At the same time the fundamental values of the EU may be at stake if the security dimension of all EU member states cannot be guaranteed. Both ethical and security challenges EU is confronted with points strongly towards accelerated introduction of a low-carbon economy and corresponding infrastructure, with renewables to play a central role in the medium/long term. A review of the literature shows that continuing import dependence on oil and gas, including from Russia, is a risk factor both in economic, political and environmental terms. Some recently proposed policy responses, such as the creation of an EU energy union, are reviewed and critically evaluated.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN TRANSPORT AS ENERGY SECURITY FACTOR IN EUROPEAN UNION

2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (0) ◽  
pp. 65-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Pawłowska
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
Energy And Climate Policy

The Energy Union is aimed at providing secure, sustainable, competitive energy to the EU population at affordable prices. A thorough transformation of the European energy system is required to accomplish this goal. The Energy Union is an important project which is supposed to set a new direction and a clear long-term vision for the European energy and climate policy. Transport is one of the key sectors in terms of energy consumption. In 2015, 94% of the energy used transport originated from crude oil and the sector’s share in the total energy consumption was 34% (Eurostat, 2016). The aim of the article is to show the activities in respect of the implementation of the “Clean Energy for Transport” package and its importance for the implementation of the Energy Union objectives. The development of an alternative fuel market should reduce the dependence on oil and contribute to increased security of the energy supply for Europe, promote economic growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport. Tools aimed at supporting the transition to low-carbon economy will be analyzed in the article. The scope of popularization of alternative fuels is determined to a large extent by market conditions and the extent to which an adequate infrastructure is developed. Hence, particular emphasis will be placed on the priorities for the development of technology and research, technical integration of solutions and financial support for alternative fuels.

scholarly journals Energy Retrofitting Opportunities Using Renewable Materials—Comparative Analysis of the Current Frameworks in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Darija Gajić ◽  
Slobodan Peulić ◽  
Tim Mavrič ◽  
Anna Sandak ◽  
Črtomir Tavzes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Renewable Materials ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Eu Member States

Sustainable approaches for retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency are becoming necessary in a time when the building sector is the largest energy consumer. Retrofitting building stock is effective for reducing global energy consumption and decreasing resource exploitation. Less developed EU member states and neighboring developing countries show reluctance towards healthy and renewable materials. Implementation of sustainable materials for energy retrofitting is slowed down due to gaps in legislation and effective strategic programs, availability of bio-based materials, lack of knowledge regarding use and maintenance of renewable products, and marketing lobbies. Use of bio-based materials in refurbishment is important due to their negative or low global warming potential (GWP), low primary energy (PEI) need for production, cost-effective benefits, and recycling/reuse potential. Role of environmentally friendly solutions and low-carbon economy growth is particularly relevant in developing countries, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, that cannot afford innovative energy recovery systems, yet possess a significant amount of poorly managed building stock. This research aims to analyze frameworks regarding retrofitting of residential buildings in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia. The analysis tackles indirect causes, studies the legal background, and examines strategic frameworks; thus, it indicates potential barriers for implementation of recommended retrofitting solutions based on renewable materials.

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges faced by private enterprises under the low-carbon economy and countermeasures

2021 ◽  
Vol 275 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
Lixing Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Private Enterprises ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
New Development ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Carbon Economy

In the background of the rapid development of market economy, a large number of carbon dioxide emissions, leads to the obvious imbalance of carbon in nature. In recent years, the global temperature is getting warmer, the sea level is rising year by year, and the grain production is also significantly reduced, which will bring a great threat to the normal survival and development of human beings. In order to protect the environment on which human beings live, low carbon economy is put forward. Under the environment of low carbon economy, private enterprises are not only facing new development opportunities. At the same time, private enterprises are also facing new development challenges. If they want to develop further, they must actively deal with them. The author analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by private enterprises under the environment of low carbon economy, and puts forward specific countermeasures, hoping to be helpful to the long-term development of private enterprises.

scholarly journals A Review of Geothermal Technologies and Their Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Abatement Cost ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract A review of conventional, unconventional, and advanced geothermal technologies highlights just how diverse and multi-faceted the geothermal industry has become, harnessing temperatures from 7 °C to greater than 350 °C. The cost of reducing greenhouse emissions is examined in scenarios where conventional coal or combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants are abated. In the absence of a US policy on a carbon tax, the marginal abatement cost potential of these technologies is examined within the context of the social cost of carbon (SCC). The analysis highlights that existing geothermal heat and power technologies and emerging advanced closed-loop applications could deliver substantial cost-efficient baseload energy, leading to the long-term decarbonization. When considering an SCC of $25, in a 2025 development scenario, geothermal technologies ideally need to operate with full life cycle assessment (FLCA) emissions, lower than 50 kg(CO2)/MWh, and aim to be within the cost range of $30−60/MWh. At these costs and emissions, geothermal can provide a cost-competitive low-carbon, flexible, baseload energy that could replace existing coal and CCGT providing a significant long-term reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study confirms that geothermally derived heat and power would be well positioned within a diverse low-carbon energy portfolio. The analysis presented here suggests that policy and regulatory bodies should, if serious about lowering carbon emissions from the current energy infrastructure, consider increasing incentives for geothermal energy development.

Delivering the Good

Bird on Fire ◽  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ross
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Growth Machine ◽  
Gila River ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
New Generation

Why did I choose to end this book with the Gila River Indian Community’s effort to win back its water? Because it is a parable about how democracy and its courts can not only serve but also be served by the quest for sustainability. The GRIC water settlement brought a long struggle for environmental justice to a triumphant conclusion. Delivering justice meant that a large portion of the region’s available resources would be sequestered from the growth machine. Instead of supplying a new generation of low-density tract housing, the water could now be used to produce healthy, local food for the area population, and, if nonindustrial agriculture prevailed, the result would be a double win for carbon reduction. Surely, this is how a green polity ought to act, redressing the claims of those who have been aggrieved, and doing it in a way that extends long-term benefits for all. If all responses to environmental injustice were able to follow suit, it would be a welcome model for moving forward. Even if the Gila River example is unlikely to be replicated in other places, its guiding spirit is a sound one. What if the key to sustainability lies in innovating healthy pathways out of poverty for populations at risk, rather than marketing green gizmos to those who already have many options to choose from? These are not mutually exclusive options, of course, but the lessons I took away from my research convinced me of the pressing need for clear alternatives to the eco-apartheid syndrome that afflicts Phoenix and so many other cities. Building a low-carbon economy by targeting only the LOHAS demographic (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, the upmarket segment of 40 million, or 20 percent of consumers, nationally) will end up doing little more than adding a green gloss to patterns of chronic inequality. Likewise, placing all of our faith in clean-tech fixes will cede too much decision making to a closed circle of experts who, regardless of their technical prowess, will have no power to prevent the uneven application of their solutions.

scholarly journals Cross-regional drivers for CCUS deployment

Clean Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Y Ku ◽  
Peter J Cook ◽  
Pingjiao Hao ◽  
Xiaochun Li ◽  
John P Lemmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Technical Features ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Development Resource

Abstract CO2 capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is recognized as a uniquely important option in global efforts to control anthropogenic greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Despite significant progress globally in advancing the maturity of the various component technologies and their assembly into full-chain demonstrations, a gap remains on the path to widespread deployment in many countries. In this paper, we focus on the importance of business models adapted to the unique technical features and sociopolitical drivers in different regions as a necessary component of commercial scale-up and how lessons might be shared across borders. We identify three archetypes for CCUS development—resource recovery, green growth and low-carbon grids—each with different near-term issues that, if addressed, will enhance the prospect of successful commercial deployment. These archetypes provide a framing mechanism that can help to translate experience in one region or context to other locations by clarifying the most important technical issues and policy requirements. Going forward, the archetype framework also provides guidance on how different regions can converge on the most effective use of CCUS as part of global deep-decarbonization efforts over the long term.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions Mapping of Buildings for Decision-Making Processes against Climate Change at the Local Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Lorenzo-Sáez ◽  
José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva ◽  
Eloina Coll-Aliaga ◽  
Lenin-Guillermo Lemus-Zúñiga ◽  
Victoria Lerma-Arce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy

Buildings have become a key source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the consumption of primary energy, especially when used to achieve thermal comfort conditions. In addition, buildings play a key role for adapting societies to climate change by achieving more energy efficiency. Therefore, buildings have become a key sector to tackle climate change at the local level. However, public decision-makers do not have tools with enough spatial resolution to prioritise and focus the available resources and efforts in an efficient manner. The objective of the research is to develop an innovative methodology based on a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping primary energy consumption and GHG emissions in buildings in cities according to energy efficiency certificates. The developed methodology has been tested in a representative medium-sized city in Spain, obtaining an accurate analysis that shows 32,000 t of CO2 emissions due to primary energy consumption of 140 GWh in residential buildings with high spatial resolution at single building level. The obtained results demonstrate that the majority of residential buildings have low levels of energy efficiency and emit an average of 45 kg CO2/m2. Compared to the national average in Spain, this obtained value is on the average, while it is slightly better at the regional level. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that the developed methodology is able to directly identify city districts with highest potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, a data model adapted to the INSPIRE regulation has been developed in order to ensure interoperability and European-wide application. All these results have allowed the local authorities to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition. In conclusion, public decision-makers will be supported with an innovative and user-friendly GIS-based methodology to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition in a more efficient and transparent way based on metrics of high spatial resolution and accuracy.

scholarly journals China’s pathway to a low carbon economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjuan Yang ◽  
Rongqin Zhao ◽  
Xiaowei Chuai ◽  
Liangang Xiao ◽  
Lianhai Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Trading Market ◽  
Carbon Economy

AbstractClimate change has emerged as one of the most important environmental issues worldwide. As the world’s biggest developing country, China is participating in combating climate change by promoting a low carbon economy within the context of global warming. This paper summarizes the pathways of China’s low carbon economy including the aspects of energy, industry, low carbon cities, circular economy and low carbon technology, afforestation and carbon sink, the carbon emission trading market and carbon emission reduction targets. There are many achievements in the implementation of low carbon policies. For example, carbon emission intensity has been reduced drastically along with the optimizing of energy and industry structure and a nationwide carbon trading market for electricity industry has been established. However, some problems remain, such as the weakness of public participation, the ineffectiveness of unified policies for certain regions and the absence of long-term planning for low carbon cities development. Therefore, we propose some policy recommendations for the future low carbon economy development in China. Firstly, comprehensive and long-term planning should be involved in all the low carbon economy pathways. Secondly, to coordinate the relationship between central and local governments and narrow the gap between poor and rich regions, different strategies of carbon emission performance assessment should be applied for different regions. Thirdly, enterprises should cooperate with scientific research institutions to explored low carbon technologies. Finally, relevant institutions should be regulated to realize comprehensive low carbon transition through reasonable and feasible low carbon pathways in China. These policy recommendations will provide new perspectives for China’s future low carbon economy development and guide practices for combating climate change.

EU Green Deal will involve greater state regulation

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Sector Funds ◽  
The Eu

Subject European Green Deal. Significance The European Green Deal seeks to transform the EU to a low-carbon economy. It proposes radical change in the way goods and services are produced and consumed. While based on a level playing field for all actors within the EU, it implies much greater state regulation of economic and social activities with the aim of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Impacts The Green Deal’s adoption would increase the likelihood of environmental criteria becoming more prominent in trade policy. The mobilisation of additional public sector funds implies rising debt levels on top of the expenditure relating to COVID-19. COVID-19 will delay EU and member state scrutiny and ratification of the Green Deal components.

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